The College Football National Championship game between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington kicked off Monday night between a pair of undefeated teams.
The Wolverines topped No. 4 Alabama 27-20 in an overtime thriller last week in the CFP Semifinal to advance to the title game. Michigan has faced plenty of adversity this season, dealing with a sign-stealing investigation and managing two separate suspensions for head coach Jim Harbaugh while remaining dominant all season.
Washington came into the game looking for its first National Championship since 1991. In their second CFP appearance, the Huskies topped Texas 37-31 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl to reach the title game. Led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Washington's offense proved itself as one of the best in the country all season, and the Huskies had their work cut out for them against Michigan's top-ranked defense.
Here were the highlights from an exciting final game of the college football season.
Fourth Quarter
After exchanging field goals in the third quarter, Michigan extended its 20-13 lead about halfway through the fourth quarter, mounting a 71-yard drive capped off by a 12-yard Blake Corum touchdown run.
Michigan Football @UMichFootballBlake Corum will not be denied 😤<br><br>📺 ESPN<a href="">#GoBlue</a> <a href="">
With Michigan leading 27-13, Washington was in need of a big drive. The Huskies managed to get in the red zone, but another Penix interception just about sealed the game for Michigan. Mike Sainristil pulled down the interception, taking it all the way down to Washington's eight yard line.
ESPN @espnMICHIGAN PICKS OFF PENIX JR. ON FOURTH DOWN! 😱<a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">
Just a few plays later, Corum punched in his second touchdown of the game from a yard out to make it a 34-13 game.
ESPN @espnBLAKE CORUM BACK IN THE END ZONE! 🔥<a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">
SportsCenter @SportsCenterMICHIGAN IS READY FOR THEIR RINGS 💍<a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">
Third Quarter
Things got off to a rocky start for Washington's offense in the second half. On the first play out of the half, Michigan's Will Johnson picked off Penix's short throw, setting the Wolverines up in good field position. Michigan managed to capitalize off the turnover with a field goal.
ESPN @espnWILL JOHNSON PICKS OFF PENIX JR. TO START THE SECOND HALF 😱<a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">
Second Quarter
Michigan took a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter on a field goal, and the Huskies needed an answer before halftime. They got just that to make it a 17-10 game in the final minute of the half.
Washington's defense got a huge stop on fourth down, giving Penix the ball on the Huskies' 39-yard line. From there, Washington marched down the field and got some help from a pass interference call to get the ball on the three-yard line. On fourth down, the Huskies went for it and Penix delivered, finding Jalen McMillan in the endzone.
ESPN @espnWASHINGTON ANSWERS BEFORE THE HALF 🔥<br><br>WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A GAME! 😤 <a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">
First Quarter
Michigan struck first on the first possession of the game. After fielding the opening kickoff at their own 16-yard line, the Wolverines mounted an 84-yard drive, capped off by an explosive 41-yard touchdown on the ground from Donovan Edwards.
ESPN @espnDONOVAN EDWARDS OPENS THE SCORING FOR MICHIGAN 😤<a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">
Edwards struck again on the next possession. After Michigan held Washington to a field goal, the Wolverines mounted an 86-yard drive, once again finding the endzone on a huge run by Edwards to make it a 14-3 lead. He blew past the Huskies' defense for a 46-yard touchdown, giving him 87-yards on two carries through the first two drives.
ESPN @espnSO NICE HE HAD TO DO IT TWICE 🔥<br><br>Donovan Edwards with his SECOND TD of the night 😱 <a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">
